Oil pastels are a fun way to add colour and expression to your artwork. But when they come in contact with clothes, especially tartan, it can be a hassle to remove the stains. To help you out, we've compiled some effective ways to help get rid of oil pastel stains from your tartan clothing.
Updated 03 Mar 2023
By Luke Smith
The best way to tackle oil pastel stains is with an absorbent material such as paper towels or a kitchen towel. Place the absorbent material on top of the stained area and press down firmly. This will absorb and lift the excess colour from your tartan fabric. Continue doing this until the majority of the colour has been removed.
Once you have lifted off most of the colour, it's time to treat what is left. Blot remaining stain with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol. This can help break down the waxiness of the oil pastel and will help dissolve the colour. Once you have treated the area, you may need to rinse the spot with water and repeat the blotting process a few more times.
If the oil pastel stain is old and set in, the method used for fresh stains will not be enough to remove it. If the stain is still visible after the treatment with the rubbing alcohol, you will need to use a detergent designed for delicate fabrics. You will also want to use a soft-bristled brush to help work the detergent into the fabric.
Mix a small amount of the detergent in a bowl of lukewarm water and gently begin to rub fabric with mixture. Do not rub too hard as this could cause damage to the tartan material. Instead, focus on lightly scrubbing the surface. Let the mixture sit on the fabric for a few minutes before blotting the area with a cloth soaked in cold water. Repeat the process until stain is no longer visible.
To avoid any further staining, think before you wear! Make sure that you're wearing clothes that are appropriate for the art activity so that you won't have to worry about damaging them. For outdoor activities, make sure to keep your art supplies away from your clothing. Additionally, you can use a colorless product such as hairspray to help set the oil pastel in place and prevent the color from transferring to other materials.
Never do laundry again. Save time for things you ❤️
Book now